Preston board recommends continuation of hospital cleanup

Preston - The Board of Finance reluctantly agreed Tuesday to "recommend" to voters a request from the Preston Redevelopment Agency to borrow $8 million for continued cleanup of the former state hospital property.

The board voted 4-2, with members Norman Gauthier and Andy Bilodeau against. If it had not, the matter could not have gone to voters and all cleanup work would end in the next few months.

The loan package before voters includes approving a low-cost $4 million state loan and bonding the town's required $4 million match. If approved by voters, that match also would allow the town to obtain a $964,000 federal grant for the cleanup.

The Board of Selectmen on Thursday will reaffirm the schedule of a town meeting at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 and the referendum on Nov. 27.